Leaf Wetness Sensor Information Brochure

DDECAGONDEVICESINNOVATIVE and easy-to-use, the newDielectric Leaf Wetness Sensor enablesaccurate and affordable leaf wetnessmonitoring. Many fungal and bacterialdiseases affect plants only when moisture ispresent on the leaf surface. The Leaf WetnessSensor determines the presence and durationof wetness on a leaf’s surface, enablingresearchers and producers to forecast diseaseand protect plant canopies.How It WorksThe Leaf Wetness Sensor approximates thethermal mass and radiative properties of leavesto closely mimic the wetness state of a realleaf. The way it works is simple: if the canopy iswet, the sensor is wet; if the canopy is dry, thesensor is dry. The Leaf Wetness Sensormeasures the dielectric constant of the top ofthe sensor. The dielectric constants of water(80) and ice (5) are higher than air (1), so thesensor can determine the presence or absenceof wetness using this method. Measurementscan be logged at user-defined intervals todetermine the duration of wetness on thecanopy.Sensor BenefitsBecause the Leaf Wetness Sensor measuresthe dielectric constant, moisture does not needto bridge electrical traces for the sensor todetect moisture; the presence of water or iceanywhere on the sensor surface will bedetected. Unlike common resistance-basedsensors, it requires no painting or usercalibration, and it can detect ice presence. Thelow power requirement and long battery life(2+ years with Em50 Datalogger) enableeffective long-term leaf wetness monitoring. ? LeafWetnessDielectric Sensor950 NE Nelson CourtPullman, Washington 99163800-755-2751fax 509-332-5158soils@decagon.comwww.decagon.comInternational 1-509-332-2756Leaf Wetness SensorSpecificationsMeasurement time 10 msPower 2.5VDC @ 2mA to 5VDC @ 7mAOutput 250 to 1500 mVOperating Environment-10°C to 60°CExpected Lifetime2+ years continuous useProbe Dimensions11.2cm x 5.8cm x 0.075cmCable Length5m standard,extension cables availableConnector type 3.5mm plugDatalogger Compatibility(not exclusive)Decagon Em5b, Em50, Em50RCampbell Scientific CR10, 10X, 21X,23X, 1000, 3000, 5000Applications? Disease forecasting andmodeling? Ecological and AgriculturalResearchBenefits? No user manipulation or paintingrequired? High resolution detects traceamounts of water or ice on thesensor surface? No calibration necessary; factorycalibration set at standard wetnessthreshold? Low power requirements enable long-term leaf wetness monitoringDDECAGONDEVICES950 NE Nelson CourtPullman, Washington 99163800-755-2751fax 509-332-5158soils@decagon.comwww.decagon.comInternational 1-509-332-2756Dielectric Leaf Wetness Sensor? Forecast plantdisease? Modeling for blight? Canopy treatmentscheduling? Imitatescharacteristics of areal leaf? Requires nopainting or usercalibration? Can detect ice onthe “leaf” surface? Low power? High resolution